1969 Riley Kestrel vs. 1965 Riley 4

To start off, 1969 Riley Kestrel is newer by 4 year(s). Which means there will be less support and parts availability for 1965 Riley 4. In addition, the cost of maintenance, including insurance, on 1965 Riley 4 would be higher. At 1,620 cc (4 cylinders), 1965 Riley 4 is equipped with a bigger engine. In terms of performance, 1965 Riley 4 (67 HP) has 3 more horse power than 1969 Riley Kestrel. (64 HP) In normal driving conditions, 1965 Riley 4 should accelerate faster than 1969 Riley Kestrel. With that said, vehicle weight also plays an important factor in acceleration. 1965 Riley 4 weights approximately 238 kg more than 1969 Riley Kestrel. So despite on having greater horse power, its additional weight may have an impact towards its acceleration in comparison.

Because 1965 Riley 4 is rear wheel drive (RWD), it offers better handling in dry conditions; in addition, if you are looking to drift, it will be much easier to do with 1965 Riley 4. However, in wet, icy, snow, or gravel driving conditions, 1969 Riley Kestrel, being front wheel drive (FWD), will offer much better control with better grip. With that said, do keep in mind that many other factors such as speed and the wear on your tires can also have significant impact on traction and control. Let's talk about torque, 1965 Riley 4 (121 Nm @ 2500 RPM) has 25 more torque (in Nm) than 1969 Riley Kestrel. (96 Nm @ 3000 RPM). This means 1965 Riley 4 will have an easier job in driving up hills or pulling heavy equipment than 1969 Riley Kestrel.

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